Two facing charges in beating of Charlton man with bat

UXBRIDGE 
Two local men are facing criminal charges after police say they allegedly robbed and beat up a friend with an aluminum baseball bat over a pair of sneakers.

Jonathan P. Skrzat, 25, and Peter F. Skrzat, 26, both of 435 Chestnut St., were arraigned in Uxbridge District Court Friday on charges of armed robbery, witness intimidation, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and larceny of property worth more than $250.

According to court documents, Timothy Schoener, 25, of Charlton came to Uxbridge police on Tuesday, saying that the previous evening he had called the Skrzats to ask about stopping by to return a pair of sneakers that belonged to Jonathan and to get a haircut from Peter.

The man told police he had put the sneakers on the last time he was at the Skrzatsí house and had accidentally forgotten to take them off before he left.

While en route to the Skrzats, Mr. Schoener realized he had left the sneakers at his house. He called Peter Skrzat advising him of this, but Peter allegedly said he could come for the haircut anyway.

After the victim arrived at the Skrzatsí house around 11:45 p.m. and went into Peterís bedroom for his haircut, Jonathan reportedly entered the room with a baseball bat and accused Mr. Schoener of stealing the sneakers, according to the police report.

The Skrzats then allegedly took the 25-year-old manís wallet with $830 in cash, an iPhone, a Bulova watch and Mr. Schoenerís prescription medication. They told Mr. Schoener he could have his things back when the sneakers were returned.

When Mr. Schoener told them he didnít have enough gas to go home and retrieve the sneakers, the Skrzats allegedly gave him $12 and a face cloth to clean up his bleeding mouth and eye socket.

Peter Skrzat allegedly told Mr. Schoener that if he or his girlfriend, who had driven him to Uxbridge, mentioned the incident to police, Mr. Skrzat would tell police it was a home invasion.

According to the court complaint, Peter Skrzat did call police to report someone inside the house, but refused to identify the individual when officers arrived.

Mr. Schoener told police he would seek medical attention on his own.

Peter and Jonathan Skrzat were held without bail and without prejudice and will return to court on Jan. 22.